THE CALL TO HOLINESS…

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many,  so that they may be saved.” CSB

OBSERVATION: What do I think of when I hear the word “holiness?” For many, this word brings up past memories of legalistic requirements imposed upon them during their upbringing in the church. These were rules and regulations that were focused on outward behavior, but never addressed the inner transformation of the heart.

For others, the call to holiness can create a sense of discouragement as they desire to be more like Jesus Christ, but they see how far they fall short of this call. Like Paul writes in Romans 7, the will to do what is right is present, but the ability to do it seems to slip away. The battle between the flesh and the spirit keeps them from moving forward. It’s like taking one step forward and two steps back.

Amid all these struggles and limitations, the call to holiness remains the call for every Christ follower. We are not called to stay in our brokenness and sin. And, we are not called to a life of perfection. One denies the grace of God and the other denies the reality of our human existence. If neither is the call of the believer, then what is holiness?

Holiness in the life of a believer does not focus on the outward appearance. One is not holy because they have their hair in a bun or dress in a certain way. One is not holy because they belong to a certain church or have had an experience at the altar. Holiness is found in Christ. He is our holiness. He has set us apart as the children of God. He has redeemed us with His own blood and called us to be a special people to fulfill His call in the world.

We begin to walk in holiness as we walk after the Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ in us and gives us the power to walk in His footsteps. Holiness begins in the heart and then changes the way we live. Yet, the change in the way we live is never focused on external regulations. The change in the way we live is the natural outflow of the inner work of the Holy Spirit, changing our attitude toward others. This was a recurring theme in the writings of Paul.

Philippians 2:3-5: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit,  but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests,  but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.“ CSB

This is the way of holiness. This is the mind of Christ. When we begin to live our lives by putting others’ needs before our own, we are walking in the way of love and experiencing the holiness of Christ working in our hearts. We can move mountains with our faith and never grow in holiness. We can clean up the outside of the cup (our lives) and never allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. We can judge others who do not meet our standards and miss our opportunity to grow in the love of Christ. Once again, Paul speaks to the importance of love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13: “If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love,  I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing…Now these three remain: faith, hope,  and love, but the greatest of these is love.“ CSB

This brings us full circle to the opening verses from I Corinthians 10.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.“ Verses 31-33

Holiness is living my life for the glory of God and the benefit of others. It is loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving my neighbor as myself. Holiness puts the spiritual needs of others before my temporal needs or liberties. I do not insist on my own way but look at life through the lens of the salvation of souls and the glory of God. Holiness calls for the transformation of my heart, the seeking of God’s Kingdom above my own, and the love of Christ working through me for the benefit of others.

Holiness is Christ in me, living through me, loving through me, in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” CSB

I John 3:16: “This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” CSB

Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to walk in the power of Christ’s death and resurrection so that I can live in the fullness of His love, for Your Glory, and the benefit of others, so they may be saved and experience the fullness of Your love. Help me to walk in holiness!

In Jesus’ Name